Real Drugs Virtual Help!!! Technology does it all!!

Just when you thought you have heard it all, you haven't. While many of us can't imagine even using an illegal substance or abusing alcohol someone somewhere is making a virtual world for it. It's suppose to help those who abuse alcohol or are addicted to  drugs such as heroine, cocaine or crack.While it doesn't necessarily claim to treat the addiction it does claim to help users cope with their drug and alcohol cravings.

Duke University's assistant professor, Zach Rosenthal, has been researching virtual rehabilitation for quite some time with actual drug addicts and even veterans. The program received it's funding from The National Institute of Drug Abuse and The Department of Defense. The software works by simulating environments that an addict may find him or herself in according to their addiction of choice. An alcoholic environment may simulate a party with cocktails and friends while a crack addicts environment may include a crack house with discarded pipes and drug deals taking place. The program will have users rate their cravings and every few minutes until the craving goes away.

In this virtual world users are put into a situation where they have the choice to say no, however one user is actually noted for reaching out to actually grab a drink from the virtual environment.   "Rosenthal is hoping that each recovering substance abuser will take the coping mechanisms from the virtual world back to reality."   (Lecher)

 

The above picture is a simulation of a virtual crack house.

Lecher, C. (2013, April 19). Can Virtual reality Treat Addiction? Retrieved April 20, 2013, from Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-04/addiction-therapy-and-virtual-reality+